Polygonatum humile

Polygonatum humile, better known as Dwarf Solomon's Seal, is a small Japanese species with trailing leafy stems. It produces tubular white flowers in spring, resembling lily-of-the-valley bells, which develop in the axils of the leaves, followed by small spherical, blue-black fruits. It is a hardy perennial woodland plant, preferring shade and coolness, and can become a magnificent ground cover. It is perfect at the base of spring shrubs, or in pots on the terrace or balcony.

Polygonatum humile belongs to the lily family, and is a Japanese cousin of the fragrant Solomon's seal that populates our European woodlands. It is a herbaceous and perennial plant that grows from a fleshy rootstock. It produces both erect and trailing leafy stems, reaching a height of 15 cm (6 in), and will form colonies occupying at least 60 cm (24 in) of ground space. The foliage is deciduous, dark green and glossy, composed of lanceolate, ovate, alternate leaves with prominent veins, measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of tubular white flowers, 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 1 in) long, solitary or in pairs, pendulous and arising from the axils of the leaves. This flowering is the same size as that of the larger Solomon's seals. It is followed by spherical, blue-black fruits, measuring 2 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) in diameter. The plant goes dormant at the end of summer. Like lily-of-the-valley, Solomon's seal is a very pretty but toxic plant, so beware of curious explorers in your gardens.

Sometimes a little slow to establish itself, this Dwarf Solomon's seal is nonetheless faithful, lives a long time, and requires little care. It tolerates competition from the roots of trees and shrubs. It can be planted in woodlands or in dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area), to accompany the spring blooms of Magnolias, Kolwizias, Deutzias, spireas, lilacs and flowering cherries. In these borders at the base of shrubs, accompany it with Anemone 'Robinsoniana', Macleayas, Anemone Blanda, and golden-yellow buttercups. Beautiful in a flower pot, pair it with blue squills to take over when it finishes flowering.

The most common explanation for the name Solomon's seal comes from the appearance of scars left on the rhizomes once the flower stalks have dried, which resemble the six-pointed seal of King Solomon and King David. King Solomon is also said to have discovered the medicinal properties of Polygonatum. The distilled sap of the rhizomes is still used in cosmetics today.